Season five of "Outlander" has been masterfully weaving an intricate tapestry of grand narratives—from the Regulators' conflict with Tryon and its implications for the impending Revolutionary War, to Claire's meddling with history through her homemade penicillin, and even the sinister machinations of Stephen Bonnet. However, the episode titled "Monsters and Heroes" dials things down to an intimate tale of mere survival at Fraser's Ridge. Yet, "mere" is a misplaced adjective when describing the Frasers' trials and tribulations, for even as this chapter retreats from the world's chaos to concentrate on a family's struggle, chaos seems to trail them like a shadow. Within this single episode, the Frasers confront a life-threatening snakebite, woodland births, and, oh yes, a buffalo attack. "Outlander" truly is a treasure trove of adventure.
Meanwhile, we, the viewers, face our own tests right from the onset: particularly, the jarring contrast between a heartwarming scene that evoked tears of joy—Marsali, on the brink of delivering her third child, affectionately addressing Claire as 'Ma'—followed almost instantly by an excruciatingly awkward sequence that made me yearn to pluck my tear-soaked eyes from their sockets. Did Roger absolutely need to broach the topic of his father-in-law while attempting to intimate with Bree, with their son sitting mere inches away? That entire Mackenzie family morning encounter left a piece of my soul behind. Regardless, Roger's spirits have lifted!
Fortunately for him, this newfound cheer prompts Bree to nudge her husband into joining Jamie, Ian, Fergus, and Josiah on a hunting expedition after a buffalo herd is spotted nearby. Jamie and Roger stray from the pack, with Jamie suffering a venomous snakebite shortly after. Ah, what better way to forge a bond than by sucking venom from one's father-in-law's leg? Roger fails to locate the others, and Jamie is incapacitated, his leg deteriorating by the minute. Thus, the father and son-in-law find themselves camped out in the wilderness overnight.
The situation is dire, indeed! And I don't use the word lightly. It's not just that Jamie and Roger must now endure an entire night alone together—a scenario likely topping both their lists of worst nightmares, which speaks volumes given their relationship. It's dire because, heavens above, Jamie looks far from well. I know, it seems inconceivable, but this is a series about time travel, remember: all things are possible here.
In defiance of the grim obituary Bree uncovered in the future, which hinted at Jamie and Claire's untimely demise in a house blaze, Jamie begins to suspect that a venomous serpent might have been his undoing. Roger, however, refuses to entertain such a notion. Nevertheless, Jamie contemplates transporting Claire back to her own time and, crucially for this season's narrative, eliminating Stephen Bonnet once and for all. He confides in Roger about his alliance with Wylie and Bonnet's plausible claim to Jemmy. Bonnet is closing in on their family, and if Jamie fails to thwart him, Roger must step in.
The following morning, Roger crafts a stretcher from wood and other materials, exerting every ounce of his strength to haul Jamie back home. Jamie's weight bears down heavily on Roger, who finds himself immersed in prayer, his plea for mercy laced with a terror that hints at Jamie's impending mortality. The situation is dire, indeed.
Fortunately, Ian and the rest of the gang set out early and manage to locate Roger and Jamie, escorting Jamie back to Claire. Surely, things can only improve from here, right?
Wrong, my friends! Upon examining Jamie's leg, Claire's eyes widen with dread. Recall the Battle of Alamance where Mr. Brown, the comical yet menacing figure, crushed Claire's syringe filled with penicillin—the very same syringe she brought back from the future. With no other syringe available, and Jamie in dire need of a penicillin injection to stave off the deadly infection in his leg, the situation has reached crisis proportions.
Even Jamie senses Claire's grave concern. Normally, she would scold him for his foolhardiness, but her kindness now tells him the gravity of his condition. Noticing the saw laid out among her instruments, Jamie instantly comprehends its intended use. Finding Jamie clutching the saw in a panic within her surgery room, Claire's fury ignites. Yet, Jamie insists, making her promise never to amputate, no matter what. This places Claire in an unbearably precarious position, as she knows full well that a choice between Jamie's leg and his life looms on the horizon.
AS IF THEIR TROUBLES WEREN'T ENOUGH: Lizzy and Jemmy are engrossed in laundry when, out of nowhere, a colossal buffalo appears on the scene. Seriously, could this buffalo have picked a worse moment to make an entrance?
It is Bree who first catches sight of the buffalo, its massive form tense and ready to charge towards her son. Dressed in herColonial pants that make her look absolutely stylish, Bree's heart races with distress. She has just uncovered the chilling Bonnet murder plot and the harrowing possibility that Bonnet might snatch Jemmy away from her. Perhaps fueled by these intense emotions, she summons her courage and unleashes a piercing scream at the buffalo, diverting its deadly focus from her son and fixing it squarely upon herself. Just as the beast hurls her into the air — incredibly, she emerges unscathed, perhaps thanks to the magical pants — Claire dashes out, rifle in hand, and unleashes a hail of bullets that sends the buffalo crashing to the ground. The Fraser women are standing tall, fending for themselves, and then some.
Jamie's condition grows graver by the moment. He insists that Roger and Ian carry him from the surgery room to the comfort of his own bed. When he reveals Claire's recommendation for amputation and his resolute refusal to live a crippled life, Ian's fury knows no bounds. Haunted by the memories of his father's lost leg and Fergus's amputated hand, Ian rails at Jamie, "Never thought I'd see the day I'd be ashamed of you, Uncle." His words, though harsh, cut deep and are desperately needed. Isn't it a relief to have Ian back, standing his ground?
Later, Ian confides in Fergus, who responds with an overwhelming kindness. Fergus, with his heart-wrenching talk about being fortunate to have Jamie as a father and his steadfast resolve to support him, breaks our hearts anew. And then, in the woods, he assists Marsali in bringing their healthy baby girl into the world. More than ever, it's crystal clear: We yearn for an episode centered on Fergus and Marsali. Please, make it happen!
Speaking of pleas, Claire is on her knees, begging Jamie not to leave her. His body has grown icy cold, and he craves her presence beside him, her touch upon him. For a harrowing moment, it feels as though he has slipped away forever, but Claire's intimate contact with him brings him back from the brink. When morning dawns, Jamie's resolve has shifted: He is no longer the stubborn fool who rejects life; now, he wants to live, come what may. This change of heart means Claire must steel herself for the task she has dreaded all along.
Caitriona Balfe shines in this episode, particularly in her poignant conversation with Bree on the stoop, where they delve into Jamie's resentment towards her. We eagerly lap up every word.
As Claire and Ian prepare Jamie for surgery, who should burst into the room but our ingenious little engineer? Earlier, Bree had a heart-to-heart with her mother about the frustration of being unable to practice her engineering skills — her true passion — in this era. And who better to seek advice from about pursuing a career deemed impossible for women in her current time than her doctor-healer-witch mother, Claire Fraser? Bree will indeed find a way, Claire reassures her daughter. And so she does: She takes the fangs from the snake that bit Jamie (Roger had thoughtfully kept its head, just in case!) and crafts a syringe for Claire. It's reminiscent of Jack and Sun performing a blood transfusion with a sea-urchin needle on "Lost," and we are utterly enthralled. Now, Claire can inject penicillin directly into Jamie's bloodstream. They can save his leg. The doctor and the engineer, working together in harmony. This mother-daughter duo is unstoppable.
Later, we witness Jamie's gradual recovery – his improvement is unmistakable, as evidenced by the return of those telltale steamy spectacles. At long last, he unveils to Claire the mystery behind the chilling night when he felt the cold embrace of death in their bed. He had glimpsed a "portal" of sorts, realizing he could traverse it and fade into eternity, or turn back and reclaim his life. His desperate need for Claire by his side stemmed from the fact that she alone held the power to rekindle his spirit. When she inquires why he chose to linger, he reveals it was because he sensed her need for him. Though slightly miffed that his reasoning wasn't sheer love for her, he clarifies, "Whether I am deceased or you, whether we are united or parted, my love for you will endure eternally." Oh, the passion in those words! One can only imagine the foul odor emanating from his festering leg, yet such trivia is inconsequential in the face of their undying bond.
Jamie, though rescued, hastily reminds Claire of his impending duty in the looming war – a calling he cannot ignore, his very reason for being. Furthermore, Roger, overjoyed at his father-in-law's survival, remains intent on joining the mission to eliminate Bonnet. This underscores that, while the recent focus on the Fraser family's united struggle for survival in the Back Country was a refreshing detour, we must remember that with three episodes remaining, numerous loose ends await resolution. We may soon long for the days when our greatest concern was warding off buffalo attacks.
